Fall 2013 Trout Tale

The

TROUT TALE

The official newsletter of the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited Volume 2, Issue 1

Fall 2013

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: WYTU Women’s Chair Hillary Walrath leads successful WYTU women’s retreat..........Page 13

Rewards of conservation

By CORY TOYE Trout Unlimited Wyoming Water Project Director Conservation work is not always an easy ride. It doesn’t bring a lot of accolades, nobody is getting rich, and lately it feels like most of the country can’t understand why people even go outside. But it is rewarding. As a volunteer or staff with Trout Unlimited (TU), you can take part in significant wins for coldwater conservation. Whether it’s removing a dam to reconnect native fish to historical habitat, protecting a huge chunk of pristine habitat from development or removing another 300,000 lake trout from Yellowstone Lake to restore the native cutthroat population, the work we accomplish is worth celebrating. As a sportsman/woman, you have to love this stuff because you are contributing to something larger than yourself.

When I started working at TU, I was absorbed by quantifiable project objectives. “How many miles can we reconnect this year? How many fish screens can we install? How many linear feet of river restoration can we knock out? How many politicians can I talk to about coldwater conservation?” Looking back, that is all I thought about. TU has certainly made a name for itself in Wyoming for being a group that is passionate about the work we do and we get a As a sportsman/ lot of great things done. No other sportsman group is doing what we woman, you have do in Wyoming. However, what I failed to appreciate a few years to love this stuff ago is the impact the work we are doing on future generations and because you are their ability to contributing to enjoy the things we hold sacred: something larger finding a fishing than yourself hole that no human has seen, catching a fish in a place where its ancestors were or seeing a kid with a trout on the end of the line for the first time.

The pace of our restoration projects throughout the state continues to gain momentum because of the dedicated staff and volunteers that are drawn to TU’s approach to pragmatic, hands-on conservation. But as just important, the scope and commitment to youth education through the Adopt-A-Trout (AAT) program from staff and volunteers is providing tools for the next generation of coldwater stewards. The AAT proAdopt-A-Trout participants from gram was initiated in 2006 and organized around a Dubois Elementary.

COURTESY PHOTO

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See CONSERVATION, page 3

Trout Unlimited honors WYTU with ‘best council’ award at national meeting At the Trout Unlimited 2013 annual meeting held in Madison, Wisconsin, last week, and in front of several hundred people, Wyoming Trout Unlimited (WYTU) was honored with the prestigious “State Council Award for Excellence.”

The award was presented to WYTU Chair Mike Jensen during the award banquet on September 27, at the Death’s Door Distillery in Middleton. Trout Unlimited Vice President of Volunteer Operations Bryan Moore presented the award.

“I’m deeply honored to accept this award on behalf of our outstanding council leadership, chapter presidents, our 1,700 members, volunteers, partners, and of course, our 13 incredible TU staffers in Wyoming,” said Jensen.

“This award is the result of many, many dedicated and passionate volunteers and staff members that have worked so hard, for so long in the Cowboy state. We are truly honored.”

National Leadership Council representative and past chairman Jim Broderick, along with Wyoming Coordinator Scott Christy, nominated WYTU for two awards this year — the State Council Award of Excellence and the Bollinger Newsletter Award.

“We received many deserving nominations this year, which made it difficult for the committee to agree on selecting winners,” said Trout Unlimited National Events Coordinator Nancy Bradley.

WYTU received a beautiful trout sculpture and plaque to honor the council.

NOTES FROM THE CHAIRMAN

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t the time of this writing, I’m sitting on a crowded airplane en route toward Salt Lake City on a Sunday afternoon. Jim Broderick, NLC representative for Wyoming Trout Unlimited (WYTU), and I are returning to the Cowboy state after attending the Trout Unlimited 2013 annual meeting in Madison, Wisconsin, held on September 26-29. And both of us have smiles on our faces. Big smiles.

During the Friday dinner, WYTU received the huge honor of receiving the prestigious “State Council Award for Excellence.”

WYTU was honored for leadership and organizational actions that recognize the ProtectReconnect-Restore-Sustain conservation campaign; attracting new members (WYTU membership has WYTU NLC Jim Broderick, left, and WYTU Chair Mike grown to over 1,700 members over the past two Jensen, right, are pictured with Trout Unlimited years); mentoring and encouraging leaders to step President/CEO Chris Wood after the chapter received forward; communication with council members the prestigious State Council Award for Excellence at through the pages of the quarterly “Trout Tale” the national TU meeting held in Madison, Wisconsin. newsletter; reaching out to other conservation groups COURTESY PHOTO/Heidi Oberstadt of Photographic Memories, LLC and organizations and carrying out TU’s coldwater conservation mission and vision, to name a few. for Dave’s outstanding work on Yellowstone Lake.

Simply put, WYTU was named the best council in Trout Unlimited for 2013. As chairman, I was extremely proud to receive this award on behalf of our council and chapter leadership, our 1,700 members and, of course, our incredible TU staff in We’re in the process of finalizing plans for a great fall Wyoming. This award belongs to each and every member who has meeting in Laramie on November 1, 2 and 3. Make sure you check contributed to, and been involved with, WYTU for many, many out the WYTU calendar of events on page 9 for details on where years. the meeting will be held, how to make your room reservations, etc.

I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge a few individuals We’re looking forward to having a great turnout for this event who have played key roles in the success of our council. I need to and I hope you’ll make plans to join us. thank Kathy and Jay Buchner who were so instrumental in building the foundation of Wyoming Trout Unlimited. Thanks, too, to Nelli Williams whose great work while she was here put our council on the map. Thanks to our many chapter presidents and members. Our Please be advised there are some important deadlines fast council is nothing without you and your incredible conservation approaching for council and chapter Annual Financial Reports and work. Our TU staffers in Lander and around the state — past and Embrace-A-Stream grants. See page 11 in this newsletter for present — deserve kudos and this honor wouldn’t be possible complete details. without you. Each of you has my sincere gratitude and admiration.

A very special and heartfelt thanks goes to Scott Christy, Dave Sweet and Jim Broderick. Your dedication, passion, hard work and leadership have taken WYTU to the next level. And to Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season. Until next the current council officers and chairs. You time, tight lines. guys and gals are the very best.

Speaking of Dave Sweet, I hope all of you have had the opportunity to see the new fall issue of TROUT magazine. There is a terrific piece on Dave in the Stream Champion section of the magazine. It’s a great read and provides more great exposure

Mike Jensen currently serves as the chairman for WYTU and is the editor of the council’s “Trout Tale” newsletter. He and his wife, Jodi, have three terrific kids, a beautiful granddaughter, and a couple of hunting and fishing labs. They make their home in Evanston. Mike thoroughly enjoys driving his drift boat in search of fly fishing adventures. E-mail Mike at trouthut@gmail.com.

The TROUT TALE is a quarterly newsletter of the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited.

The deadline for submission of information, photos and content for the Winter 2014 newsletter (January, February, March) will be December 1, 2013. Please send any and all contributions for the Winter issue to newsletter editor Mike Jensen at: trouthut@gmail.com The TROUT TALE is available through e-mail and online on the council’s website at: wyomingtu.org

MISSION: Conserving and protecting Wyoming’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds

WYOMING COUNCIL OFFICERS: Mike Jensen Chairman Calvin Hazlewood Vice Chairman Dave Sweet Treasurer Cole Sherard Secretary Jim Broderick NLC Representative and Past Chairman Scott Christy Wyoming Coordinator schristy@tu.org

WYOMING CHAPTERS: n Casper-Grey Reef n Curt Gowdy n East Yellowstone n Flaming Gorge/ Lower Green River n Jackson Hole n Laramie Valley n Little Bighorn n Platte Valley n Popo Agie Anglers n Upper Bear River n Upper Green River

OFFICE LOCATION: 250 North 1st Street Lander, Wyoming 82520 Phone: 307.332.6700 Fax: 307.332.9299

ONLINE: www.wyomingtu.org

© 2013 Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited

Mike Jensen, Newsletter Editor • Scott Christy, Wyoming Coordinator

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FALL 2013

CONSERVATION,

continued from page 1

movement study on the Gros Ventre River to determine the movement patterns of trout in the system.

TU arranged with a local school district to include students in the study by allowing classes to adopt and follow the tagged fish throughout the year. The program proved to be a success and created a great tool to educate local kids about trout and their local watersheds. The AAT program tasks kids with tracking and mapping fish throughout the school year and introduces students to resource experts, volunteers and municipalities that participate in the program to create a curriculum that emphasizes the importance of Wyoming’s watersheds to a wide array of interests.

The program continues to grow and gain popularity with schools across the state thanks to the passion of TU volunteers, staff and local school districts. The AAT program has also provided resource managers and TU valuable data necessary to answer important questions regarding habitat conditions and native and wild trout migratory patterns. The fish movement data also identifies new projects, measures the success of completed projects and validates restoration work.

Because of the growth of the AAT program and the willingness of Scott Christy and the WYTU council to make sure the program remains vibrant, we will connect with over 400 kids during the 2013-14 school year to teach them about the fish and the watersheds around them.

Statistics continue to show today’s kids are not as active in the outdoors as previous generations. With entertainment and information available everywhere, kids are staying inside, making friends through their smart phone, drinking pop

Because of the growth of the AAT program... we will connect with over 400 kids during the 2014-14 school year to teach them about the fish and the watersheds around them.

and wondering what movie can be streamlined straight to their TV next.

And damn, that is some scary stuff.

But it is also a challenge to those of us privileged enough to have the pleasure of being a sportsman or sportswoman. What good is the work we are doing now if we don’t facilitate the next generation of stewards? We need people to pick up where we leave off. That is the most exciting thing about the AAT program. Every year we find kids who will step up and continue to improve conditions for fish and wildlife; we run into parents who tell us that Santa was asked to bring a fly rod this year, which got the whole family involved and concerned with their local watershed.

I am proud to be a part of the work that TU is accomplishing in this state. I still get excited about the prospects of a new project or the sound of a track hoe tearing a dam out, but the most rewarding work is with the kids who will enjoy the benefits of a completed project and a healthy watershed. I imagine these students telling their own children stories about the AAT program and the project they participated in. With any luck, another generation of stewards will enjoy and fight for Wyoming’s coldwater fisheries.

Please read through the updates below, and on the following page, for this year’s AAT programs across the state.

Get involved if you can and please be in touch about ideas or suggestions for upcoming school years. With your help, we will see more and more kids with a fly rod in their hand and a TU hat on their head.

Cory Toye serves as the Wyoming Water Project Director for Trout Unlimited in Lander, Wyoming. He and his wife, Morgan, and son, Joe, live near Pavillion. Team Toye enjoys everything big, wonderful Wyoming offers — especially the Wind River, the Absoraka Mountain Range near Dubois and Home Depot in Casper.

Email Cory at: ctoye@tu.org

WYOMING Adopt-A-Trout Update:

On Muddy Creek, near Baggs, Wyoming, 20 native Colorado River Cutthroat trout have been tagged, with the goal of learning about cutthroat movement patterns in the system and identifying possible areas for habitat improvement. This Adopt-A-Trout program is a first for Wyoming Trout Unlimited as the participating students comprise all 200 students of the entire 1st through 12th grades at the Little Snake River Valley School. Partners include the Little Snake Conservation District, Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Bureau of Land Management. COURTESY PHOTOS

See ADOPT-A-TROUT UPDATES, page 4 FALL 2013

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ADOPT-A-TROUT UPDATES,

continued from page 3

Crow Creek is one of the major tributaries to the Salt River and is an important spawning tributary for native Snake River fine spotted cutthroat trout and introduced brown trout. However, an irrigation diversion on lower Crow Creek at times blocks fish migrations, can cause the river downstream to go dry, and prevents upstream fish movement out of this area. During the fall of 2013, TU will install a fish ladder to provide a route for fish to move around the diversion during these critical times. TU is also working with the 7th grade science class, at Afton Middle School in Star Valley, to capture and tag 15 trout and follow them through the following year. By doing this, we can find out if the fish are using the ladder and when fish move upstream. This will help us determine when operation of the ladder is most critical and identify more projects that could improve populations and habitat conditions throughout the drainage.

COURTESY PHOTO

Our partner classrooms at the Jackson Hole Middle School, which include the entire 7th grade (roughly 200 students), will be following our study on the Gros Ventre River near Kelly, Wyoming. The study will seek to determine what habitats small (8 to 12 inch) rainbow and rainbowcutthroat hybrid trout are utilizing in the lower Gros Ventre River and also to determine where adult cutthroat, rainbow, and rainbow-cutthroat hybrid trout are spawning in the lower Gros Ventre River since the removal of the Newbold Dam in March of 2013. Overall, 35 trout will be tagged for the study.

COURTESY PHOTO

This study includes tagging 25 fish of two different species. Invasive burbot were first found in the Green River system in the early 2000s and there is a concern that the predatory fish will affect trout populations. This study will focus on trout and burbot overlap and seek to answer questions about burbot migration and spawning patterns in the system. Our partner 7th grade classroom is with teacher Retta Hudlow at the Pinedale Middle School.

FIRE GIRL PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO

For the third year in a row the Upper Bear River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (UBRTU) is implementing an AAT program with Derek Haider’s 7th grade advanced science class from Evanston Middle School. This has not only been successful in the classroom, it has helped identify two projects that the UBRTU is taking on to “Bring Back the Bear.” This year, 18 Bear River cutthroat trout will be tagged and tracked by Derek’s 30 students. The fish will be used to identify passage issues, entrainment issues and help identify tributaries used to spawn. This data will continue to help drive the chapter’s projects in the Bear River and keep the community involved.

WYTU PHOTO/Mike Jensen

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FALL 2013

Trout Unlimited Teen Summit in Jackson Hole a huge success!

Editor’s Note: Wyoming Trout Unlimited proudly supported the Trout Unlimited Teen Summit held this summer in Jackson. Our youth chair, Haley Capozza of Rock Springs, helped bring the event to Wyoming and recently wroteÊaboutÊtheÊsummit and her experience as a TU Teen. This column first appeared in August on the TU Teens blog on Trout Unlimited’s website.

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s a returning participant of the Trout Unlimited (TU) Teen Summit, I can successfully say that the 2013 summit in Jackson and its crew spawned great new ideas for solving the problem of lasting youth membership within TU. Though the 30 of us that gathered (10 teens returning from the original summit held last year) brought with us different backgrounds, experience levels and perspectives, we all shared one common goal — the need to inspire other youth to follow TU’s cause and the need to provide the organization of TU itself with a sustainable future.

The teens gathered during the five days of the summit in late July to discuss the headway made by last year’s summit attendees, the founding members of the Youth Leadership Council (YLC), as well as to brainstorm ideas and action plans to keep the successes rolling. We addressed three major topics: “Where are we now, where do we want to go, and finally how do we get there?” We deliberated these topics in multiple sessions with TU staff such as Bryan Moore, TU’s Vice President for Volunteer HALEY CAPOZZA Operations and Program Development; Eaddo WYTU Youth Chair Kiernan, Chair of TU’s Headwaters Board; Beverly Smith, Director of Volunteer Operations for TU; and several other fantastic people in order to get an insight as to the feasibility of the solutions and programs we were coming up with, as well as the perspective from the higher-ups within TU about the teen recruitment problem.

After hashing out all the details and looking at our problem from every possible angle, the teens separated into different groups in order to divide and conquer the task list we created to solve the teen membership issue.

For the current teen membership that we have who aren’t active or who have recently expired, we came up with specific social media outlets, ad

What a great looking group of teens and volunteers, including TU President and CEO Chris Wood, in their WYTU ball caps. The 30 teens participating in this year’s Teen Summit held in Jackson Hole in late July, included two teens from Wyoming — Haley Capozza of Rock Springs and Eli Tesoro of Evanston. COURTESY PHOTO campaigns and presentation ideas to re-hook them and show them why TU is an organization in which they can actively participate and make a difference.

For the new teen membership issue, we came up with similar ideas for recruitment, but the focus of these ads, media outlets and publications would be more focused on getting the exhilarating essence of TU in a nutshell, and make it available not only to teens, but to parents as well.

So what can you expect to see from the YLC? Well, when we aren’t planning/executing sustainability projects within our local areas, we’ll be presenting to our chapters and councils, as well as making an effort to present to the National Leadership Council (NLC) and the Board of Trustees. Why would the presentations be important? They’re important because the teen effort is important. The more people we can educate within TU about why teens are needed for the future of the organization, and the more tips, activity ideas and plans we can give to people to take back and utilize within their states and local chapters, the more of a difference we have made.

The youth really are the future in the case of TU, and I know that I can speak for myself and the 29 other summiteers when I say that we want to see TU still around and still as strong when we hit the age of most of our chapter members.

The summit was such an overall fantastic experience. When we weren’t flushing out ideas, we were at some of the most beautiful fishing holes I have seen. We also had a great time learning about the conservation projects/issues in the Grand Teton/Yellowstone area and participating in a little service project of our own at the Murie Center. We came out of this experience with some great new friends, fresh new ideas and memories we will never forget.

This summit fueled us to go back to our areas and make a national difference and I know that as long as the ability to gather as the summit allows us to do remains, we will make that difference and help to sustain Trout Unlimited.

Left: The Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited and Jackson Hole Trout Unlimited Chapter hosted a barbecue on the first day for teens, volunteers and staff in Jackson for the 2013 Trout Unlimited Teen Summit. Thanks to the many volunteers who helped make the barbecue a success.

WYTU PHOTO/Mike Jensen

FALL 2013

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WYTU CHAPTER CHATTER SEEDSKADEE CHAPTER

(Formerly Flaming Gorge/ Lower Green River Chapter)

By CALVIN HAZLEWOOD Chapter President Greetings from the Seedskadee Chapter!

We hope this finds everyone well and getting ready for the fall fishing season.

Some cooler weather would be appreciated, as our river temps here through town in Green River are still getting into the low 70s during the day.

As a result, most of the river fishing — at least the last couple of months — has been limited due to the warm SEEDSKADEE water, unless anglers CHAPTER are fishing right below Fontenelle Dam or below Flaming Gorge Dam. We are looking forward to the fall fishing and the change of seasons along the river.

Our chapter has been somewhat quiet over the summer, but we have still been out and about helping the fisheries in our area.

We once again spent some time out on Red Creek installing some tree revetments into the stream and helping to provide some bank stabilization and some additional fish habitat.

It’s great working with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, BLM, Wyoming TU Staff, the state of Wyoming, Boy Scouts and chapter members on projects like this that are benefitting native Colorado River Cutthroat. And hopefully we can spend more time out there next summer.

Some of our chapter members also worked with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge on a tree revetment project on the refuge this summer as well.

Work was done to install trees into the double sill side channel for bank stabilization and fish habitat on the Green River. Good work everyone!

We have many activities planned for the fall; here are some of the highlights: n Meeting with the Wyoming G&F and Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge to discuss the potential of developing a hatching box program on the Green

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River below Fontenelle Reservoir. n A fun evening of fly fishing golf set for Thursday, September 26. n Our monthly chapter meetings will resume on Thursday, October 3. n Our monthly “Lying and Tying” sessions will start back-up on Thursday, October 10. n Working with the Wyoming G&F and Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge on a ditch fish rescue project on October 26.

We are really excited about this opportunity to get some fish out of the refuge ditches and back into the Green River before they freeze up. Hopefully this will develop into an ongoing effort to help the fishery each fall. n Hopefully many of you purchased tickets for our Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited fundraiser, and one of you lucky readers is the proud owner of a new shotgun and fly rod! All of us working together to Conserve, Protect, and Restore our Coldwater Fisheries is what our chapters are all about, so thanks for your continued support!

One last note... If you haven’t already,” Like us” on Facebook. We post what is going on with our chapter and once in awhile even put up a fish picture or two.

Enjoy the fall season, get out and throw some streamers at some hungry browns, and have some fun!

UPPER BEAR RIVER CHAPTER

By JIM HISSONG Chapter Treasurer Dry, dry, dry . . . and I don’t mean dreams of throwing dry flies to a threepart rhythm.

Freestone rivers and creeks in southwest Wyoming have suffered, like other state waters, from the continuing drought. Many of us have fished only the Green River or hiked into mountain lakes because we fear killing fish in other high temperature waters. Oh well, as Tony Soprano would say, “Whaddya gonna do?”

We will have to get a lot of waterwhipping done now that the monsoon season is upon us.

The project to construct a fish ladder around the City of Evanston’s diversion dam south of town on the Bear River, is nearing reality this fall. Grants from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources

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Trust Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, plus cash contributions from the Upper Bear River Trout Unlimited Chapter will reestablish spawning habitat for Bonneville cutthroat trout. Per UBRTU’s motto, we will accomplish a major step to “Bring Back the Bear!”

Another grant procured from the Western Native Trout Initiative will help Adopt-A-Trout efforts to track cutties in their improved haunts with transmitters.

Another achievement for UBRTU this past few months is the establishment in cyberspace of our FaceBook page.

Posting fishporn photos contributed by UBRTU members plus hyperlinks to interesting info in the flyfishing world has been worth the effort. It was gratifying to give “fishing reports” to ten anglers visiting the area recently who found our Facebook page.

After taking the summer months off, our chapter resumed our monthly meetings on September 11 by holding elections for new officers.

Rick Slagowski was elected president, Bruce Poppke was elected vice president, Jim Hissong was elected treasurer, Derik Haider was elected secretary and Mark Tesoro will serve on the board as past president. All terms will be for two years.

Shadd Johnstone will continue to serve as conservation chairman for the chapter, while the fundraising chairman position will be appointed at a later date.

A special thanks goes to outgoing board member Jodi Jensen for her service on the board for the past four years as treasurer and secretary.

Editor’s Note: Help spread the word on your chapter’s great work, accomplishments and activities! If your chapter would like to be included in the WYTU “Chapter Chatter” section, please send your brief information to Mike Jensen at: trouthut@gmail.com. The deadline for the Winter 2014 edition (January, February, March) will be December 1, 2013. Any information and photos must be received by that date.

FALL 2013

update

A major infusion of WWNTR money

By DAVE SWEET Yellowstone Lake Special Project Manager for Wyoming Trout Unlimited

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n our last report to the membership of Wyoming Trout Unlimited, we reported on the plans for this summer and fall’s efforts to suppress lake trout in Yellowstone Lake. We had high hopes that major strides would be made in the recovery of the population of Yellowstone cutthroat trout this year. What we didn’t know at the time that we prepared that update was that the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust (WWNRT) committee was about to infuse a significant chunk of new money into the effort.

At their June meeting, the committee totally shocked those of us who were hoping to receive a $75,000 grant to help us in our efforts. The committee actually doubled our request and awarded the project an unprecedented $150,000. And, equally significant, the committee asked us to return this fall with an application showing what the project is going to cost for the next three years.

This grant is enabling us to greatly expand our work. We have been able to install new massive Vemco positioning system (VPS) arrays of receivers and synchronization signals over suspected spawning beds in the Solution Creek, Thumb Creek and Frank Island/Plover Point areas. These arrays will confirm and pinpoint any spawning beds in those areas and show the paths that the lake trout will take to reach them as well as their dates of use.

This is critical information in the process of killing lake trout eggs on those spawning beds and the adults as they stage to use them. In addition, the grant has allowed us to set-up Carrington Island (the one currently known LT spawning bed) with a massive grid and egg baskets to understand the spawning cycle as well as test egg killing techniques. We have purchased a directional hydrophone for our mobile receiver which will aid in the “zeroing-in” on tagged lake trout as we search for new spawning beds in other areas. We have also started a search for potential sub-populations of LT in remote areas of the lake via a new round of tagging in the south, southeast and north zones of the system. Without this grant, very little of this detailed, but critical, work would be possible.

The next grant to the trust fund has now been prepared and submitted. It will allow us to continue our work through the end of 2016. Wish us luck with this request. There is no doubt that the tremendous support that TU members and chapters from all over Wyoming and elsewhere have shown for this project had a major impact on the committee members and helped them decide to make this tremendous award.

Thank you, Wyoming TU members, for your ongoing show of concern and support for the cutthroats of Yellowstone National Park.

In the next issue of “The Trout Tale,” we will provide a major report on the results of the 2013 LT suppression and YCT recovery efforts.

Dave Sweet, who serves as Yellowstone Lake Special Project Manager for Wyoming Trout Unlimited, is pictured recently assisting the netting of lake trout on a trap netting boat.

COURTESY PHOTO

Dave Sweet has been a member of Trout Unlimited since the mid-70s. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from Trout Unlimited as well as former chairman of the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited. He currently is serving as the treasurer of the council and is a former president and current board member of the East Yellowstone Chapter in Cody. Dave and his wife, Cathy, are the parents of two daughters — Cindy, an attorney in Casper, and Diana, a fisheries biologist for the Wyoming Game & Fish Department in Jackson — and they live in Cody. Dave loves to fish for any species; hunt for whatever crawls, flies or walks; and ride his horses. E-mail Dave at: davidps@tritel.net.

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Get your great looking WYTU, collapsible neoprene can koozie! Now in stock for only $5! Go to the WYTU store at: http://wyomingtu.org/wytu-store

WYOMING TROUT UNLIMITED 250 North 1st Street • Lander, Wyoming 82520 Phone: (307) 332.6700

FALL 2013

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NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

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n my inaugural article for this column, I outlined my responsibiliseemingly increasing levels of development and the potential impacts on ties as Wyoming’s National Leadership Council representative: advocating coldwater fisheries. But can, or even should, the Wyoming approach to oil for Wyoming among the larger, national Trout Unlimited organization. and gas development become the policy for all of Trout Unlimited? To be One aspect of doing so is participating in NLC work groups. NLC memblunt, it would be foolish of me to think such a thing. I know Wyoming. I bers from across the country are requested to join at least two work groups know its people, land and the industry here. I know the energy devel— one focusing on conservation and another on organizational issues. As opment climate and I know how WYTU has been able to collaborate with your representative, I have joined the following work groups: industry to provide win-win results: energy development and protections • Western Native Trout whose focus is on issues affecting species on a for coldwater fisheries. watershed or landscape scale (e.g., habitat fragmentation and loss, climate What don’t I know? Some of my peers may fall over in shock that I’ll change, invasive species, etc.) admit this, but I don’t know all of those things about other states rep• Responsible Energy Development whose focus resented within the Responsible Energy Development is helping the national organization, councils and Work Group… let alone the other 30 or so states with chapters address the impacts of energy development TU councils. Much as we Cowboys are reticent to on coldwater fisheries. have people from other states attempt to tell us what • New Initiatives whose tasks include such varto do, folks in other states are reticent to have outsidied items as nominating new members for positions as ers tell them what to do.

Grassroots Trustees on the TU Board of Directors and Fortunately, it’s not my job to even attempt administering changes to the National Conservation to do so. My job is to represent Wyoming and what Agenda (of which Yellowstone Lake is a part). works for us. In this case I advocate for the moderate, Of course, there are numerous other work collaborative approach to oil and gas development as groups I could have joined. But, in consultation with a piece of the national policy. We have proven that it the WYTU Executive Committee and Wyomingcan be successful and I am doing everything I can to based staff, it was determined that my participation ensure that it is incorporated into the national policy. in those mentioned above would best serve the interOf course, I expect my compatriots within the work ests of Wyoming at this time. As the work of WYTU group, and NLC as a whole, to do the same. Each of us progresses over time, so might the work groups in knows best what works in our respective states and has which I participate. an obligation to ensure our own approaches are incorHow does this translate into any benefit to porated into the national policy.

Wyoming? Allow me to explain by first briefly discussing the WYTU Yes, the work group has had some spirited approach to oil and gas development within Wyoming. It probably won’t discussions on this topic along the way. I’m certain we’ll have a few more, surprise any readers of this newsletter, but there is quite a bit of oil and gas too. Don’t let that frighten you, though. It’s a good thing. It proves that development happening in the Cowboy state. In fact, royalties from oil and each of us cares deeply about what we’re doing and why we’re doing it — gas production have funded many TU projects throughout the state via the for the fish.

Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust. WYTU is very grateful for this. You could say oil and gas development are simply a part of life in Wyoming. It is something WYTU respects, appreciates and advocates that it is Are you a chapter or individual trying to increase participation by done in a responsible manner. women? Check out the resources and tools created by the NLC Women’s Quite simply, we recognize that we, too, use and need the energy that is produced. It is, therefore, the Initiative Work Group at: http://www.tu.org/member-services/welcomeWYTU approach that we do what we can to ensure that to-my-tu/tackle-box/women-in-trout-unlimited. oil and gas development occurs in an environmentally responsible manner in the appropriate locations. Yes, there will be locations that are simply too valuable in terms of their fishPerhaps you’ve heard the saying, “If you take care of the fish, the eries and wildlife resources to allow development to occur (e.g., Noble fishing will take care of itself.” That phrase, uttered by TU’s founding Basin in western Wyoming). But, there are places where development can fathers, is something that lives within each of us. It is what motivates me, occur without significant or cumulative deleterious impacts to our fisheries and my fellow work group members, to work so hard to help write a policy and other wildlife resources… especially when done responsibly. It is this that will work across the entire country. moderate approach that has served us well in Wyoming.

Jim Broderick serves as the National Leadership Council representative and Past Chair for the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited. He and his The Responsible Energy Work Group has been tasked over the past wife, Becky, along with their two dogs, Bear and Cooper, and a pond full of year to write the first draft of an oil and gas development policy for the Snake River cutthroat trout live in Jackson. Jim is the owner of Rocky entirety of Trout Unlimited. That is, a policy that is applicable across the Mountain Ranch Management and in his free time, he enjoys driving drift entire country to guide chapters and councils as they attempt to deal with boats in search of epic fly fishing. E-mail Jim at: jim@rmrm.biz.

NLC Tip of the Issue:

Page 8

“

“

To go fishing is the chance to wash one’s soul with pure air, with the rush of the brook, or with the shimmer of sun on blue water. It brings meekness and inspiration from the decency of nature, charity toward tackle-makers, patience toward fish, a mockery of profits and egos, a quieting of hate, a rejoicing that you do not have to decide a darned thing until next week. And it is discipline in the equality of men —for all men are equal before fish.

— Herbert Hoover

FALL 2013

WYTU NEWS NOTES

WYTU’s Dave Sweet attends 2013 Field & Stream Hero of Conservation Award Gala After being named for the prestigious Field & Stream’s Hero of Conservation honor earlier this summer, WYTU’s Dave Sweet, along with five other individuals from around the country, attended the magazine’s annual award gala on September 19, in Washington, DC. Sweet was honored at the gala for his impressive work on Yellowstone Lake to save the native Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Yellowstone National Park. All six individuals received a check for $5,000 for their outstanding conservation efforts and leadership at the gala.

“The entire experience in Washington D.C. was incredible,” said Sweet. “I had the opportunity to spend time with high-level officials with the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as well as other agencies. It was great exposure for our Yellowstone Cutthroat trout project on Yellowstone Lake.”

He also had the opportunity to meet with Wyoming’s congressional delegation — Senator Mike Enzi, Senator John Barasso and Representative DAVE SWEET Cynthia Lummis — while in the nation’s capital.

Hero of “The six finalists are all remarkable individuals,” said Anthony Licata, Conservation editorial director of Field & Stream. “They saw conservation problems and didn’t wait for someone else to take the lead — they charged in and took the rest of us along with them. We’re grateful for their passion and dedication and honored to share their stories.”

Sweet currently serves as Yellowstone Lake Special Project Manager, treasurer and past chairman for WYTU. He is an active member of the East Yellowstone Trout Unlimited Chapter in Cody and is also a recent recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from Trout Unlimited.

“This is truly an incredible honor for Dave,” said WYTU Chair Mike Jensen. “We all are so very proud of him and the outstanding work he has done, is doing, and will continue to do, on Yellowstone Lake. His leadership and passion are making a incredible difference. WYTU is blessed to have Dave Sweet be such a big part of our council’s success.”

In addition, there’s a great “Stream Champion” feature on Dave in the fall 2013 issue of TROUT magazine. Check it out!

Sommers wins WYTU “cast and blast” raffle prize package Congratulations are in order to Trout Unlimited member Jim Sommers of Cody, Wyoming, who was the lucky winner of the WYTU “cast and blast” raffle package valued at over $2,250. Sommers’ name was drawn on September 25..

Trout Unlimited Director of Volunteer Operations Beverly Smith drew the lucky winner at the Snake River Angler Fly Shop in Jackson following Adopt-A-Trout activities in the Jackson area.

Sommers will receive an impressive package that includes a Remington VersaMax 12 gauge semi automatic shotgun with Mossy Oak Duck Blind camo; a Sage Z-Axis 9 foot, 5 wt., 4-piece fly rod; a Sage 3850 CF fly reel; and a Rio Gold 5 wt. fly line.

“A special thanks to everyone who stepped up and purchased raffle tickets,” said Wyoming Coordinator Scott Christy. “We appreciate the support and all the monies generated from this raffle will go toward the council’s mission of conserving and protecting Wyoming’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.”

WYTU Fall council meeting to be held in Laramie Wyoming Coordinator Scott Christy is pleased to announce that the WYTU fall council meeting will be held in Laramie on November 1, 2 and 3.

“It’s the first time the council meeting will have been in Laramie in a long while and we hope we’ll helpÊbring the spotlight to our Laramie Valley, Curt Gowdy (Cheyenne), and Platte Valley (Saratoga) chapters, while alsoÊinvigorating our University of Wyoming group — the University Flycasters. As always, we’re excited to have the participation of as many chapters as possible and as a reminder, each chapter has two official voting seats on the council.

Christy also noted that he has secured a location at the Hilton Garden Inn and University of Wyoming

CALENDAR WYTU OCTOBER 1-4, 2013 The Wild Trout Symposium will be held in Yellowstone National Park. For more information, go to their website at: www.wildtroutsymposium.com.

NOVEMBER 1,2,3, 2013 Fall WYTU council meeting in Laramie. This is the first time, in a very long time, that WYTU will be holding a council meeting in the southeast part of the state.

The meetings will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn and University of Wyoming Conference Center. A special room rate of $104 has been arranged. Reservations can be made by calling (307) 745-5500. Make sure to request the Wyoming Trout Unlimited meeting rate when making your reservation. This special rate will be available until October 18, so book your rooms now.

According to Wyoming Coordinator Scott Christy, the fall meeting is being held in Laramie to help shine a spotlight on the Laramie chapter, University Flycasters, Curt Gowdy chapter (Cheyenne) and Platte Valley chapter (Saratoga).

The fall meeting will have a similar schedule to past meetings with a Friday afternoon fishing outing, Saturday meeting, Friday and Saturday night social opportunities and a Sunday morning session. The agenda is still being finalized and will be made available to everyone at the earliest possible time frame.

NOVEMBER 3, 2013 Daylight Savings Time ends. Turn your clocks back one hour at 2 a.m.

NOVEMBER 12, 2013 Trout Unlimited will be accepting Embrace-A-Stream (EAS) grant applications for eligible coldwater conservation projects through December 10. However, make sure you contact your EAS representative by November 12 to discuss your project. For more information, go to: www.tu.org/eas.

NOVEMBER 15, 2013 All Wyoming Trout Unlimited Chapters will need to have their respective Annual Financial Reports (AFR) filed with TU national by November 15. If you need assistance with your chapter’s AFR, there will be an online training on October 22 at 8 p.m. eastern time to help council and chapter treasurers with their AFR and IRS forms. For more information or to register for the online training, contact Rob Keith at: rkeith@tu.org or call Wyoming Coordinator Scott Christy at (307) 332-6700 ext. 12 MARCH 8-9, 2014 Western Regional Trout Unlimited meeting (tentative dates) that will be held in Reno, Nevada. Keep in mind this is a great time to fish nearby Pryamid Lake for trophy Lahontan cutthroat trout! Mark your calendars now!

See WYTU NEWS NOTES, page 10

FALL 2013

Page 9

WYOMING NEWS NOTES,

continued from page 9

Conference Center to hold the meetings. A special room rate of $104 per night has been arranged and you can make reservations by callingÊ(307) 745-5500 and requesting the Wyoming Trout Unlimited special rate when booking your room. A block of rooms has been reserved and this rate will be available until October 18. So make your room reservations now.

The fall meeting will have a similar schedule to past meetings with a Friday afternoon fishing outing, Saturday meeting, Friday and Saturday night social opportunities, and a Sunday morning session.

“We’re still busy finalizing the agenda for the meeting and one will be sent out via email in the next few weeks,” said Christy.

Wyoming Trout Unlimited represented at the Utah Single-Fly on the Green River For the second year in a row, Wyoming Trout Unlimited was well-represented at the Fifth Annual Utah Single-Fly fundraiser on the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam. WYTU Vice Chair Calvin Hazlewood once again organized a team — the WYTU Bucking Fish — to participate in the annual event, which is a fundraiser for Trout Unlimited to benefit the Green River drainage.

Joining Hazlewood on the team were WYTU Chair Mike Jensen, WYTU Secretary Cole Sherard and Upper Bear River Trout Unlimited Chapter President Mark Tesoro.

The team finished the event tied for third place with Team TU — which included TU’s Steve Trafton and board of trustee members.

During the event, each participant uses only one fly for the entire day of catch and release fishing.

Hazlewood is already talking about putting a team together for next year’s event which will take place on September 18 and 19, 2014.

TOP: Cole Sherard and his nice 19” brown trout. RIGHT: Calvin Hazlewood and guide Paul Messerschmidt display Calvin’s 20” brown trout.

Wyoming Trout Unlimited staff and volunteers rendezvous in the Wyoming Range Staff and volunteers of Wyoming Trout Unlimited gathered in the Wyoming Range on July 15 and 16 to fish, camp, enjoy camaraderie and take part in the filming of a video showcasing the great work that Trout Unlimited does in the Cowboy State.

Those individuals that participated in the two-day gathering included: Cole and Shauna Sherard of Wheatland; Dave Glenn, Steven Brutger, Jeff Judkins, Ron Hansen and Scott Christy of Lander; Mike Jensen and Rick Slagowski of Evanston; Marley Vaughn, Barbara Allen and Darren Kleiman of Jackson; Chauncey Goodrich and Dave Kappenman of Pinedale; Haley Capooza, Pat Newell, Nick and Hillary Walrath of Green River; and Charlie Card of Dutch John, Utah.

TU photographer and videographer Josh Duplechian from Colorado, was on hand to shoot the video that as of press time, was still in production. Information on when and where to view the video will be available in the next newsletter.

TU staffers Scott Christy and Steven Brutger did a great job cooking burgers and brats for the crew on hand in the Wyoming Range. They even cooked some gourmet, stuffed mushrooms!

Do you have an item for “WYTU News Notes?”

NEWS NOTES WYTU

Send your information via e-mail to Scott Christy at: schristy@tu.org or Mike Jensen at: trouthut@gmail.com

Be a part of our success! Donate to Wyoming Trout Unlimited today — 3 easy ways to donate!

1) Simply fill out the form below with your check or credit card information and mail to WYTU 2) Give over the phone by calling Scott Christy at (307) 332-7700 ext. 12 or 3) Donate online at www.wyomingtu.org/donate

YES! I support the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited’s efforts to protect and preserve Wyoming’s trout and their watersheds. Enclosed is my gift of: $35 $50 $100 $250 $1,000 Other ___________ Name Address City

State

Phone

e-mail

My check is enclosed Charge my: Visa Credit Card Number

MasterCard

Zip

AMEX

Expiration

CVC Number

With your donation of $100 or more, you’ll receive a great looking WYTU “bucking fish” ball cap.

(Hat style and color may vary)

Signature Mail this form to: WYTU, 250 North 1st Street, Lander, WY 82520.

Contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Please make checks payable to the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited.

Please be assured that WYTU never uses your e-mail address for anything other than WYTU business.

Page 10

FALL 2013

WYOMING coordinator REPORT

W

hile elk hunting recently amongst the granite of the Wind River Range, I found myself filling up my cup with cold water from a high mountain stream in the wilderness. The stream, itself, was tiny, and I imagined it must be fishless due to a barrier below and a lack of large lakes above.

As I reached down with my mug to the water, a small trout darted away from me upstream and beat a hasty retreat. As I looked around further, there appeared a wealth of small brook trout bearing their ostentatious display of fall colors and white fin tips.

I had no rod. No reel. And no flies. But I sat on the stream bank and watched the fish for almost an hour as they slowly fed and chased each other around in the slightly bigger holding pools.

I was amazed to find those fish in this particular stream and time seemed to stand still. I was even more amazed that the sight of trout — even small numerous trout — in the high mountains could hold my attention for so long, even as elk bugled in the distance.

That sense of wonder caused by those little mountain trout reminded me to be hopeful for the future and want to pass along that same experience.

All of which led me to think of one of the really wonderful parts of my job — coordinating Wyoming Trout Unlimited’s Adopt-A-Trout (AAT) program in the Cowboy state.

This fall, we’ve got Adopt-A-Trout in five schools, educating over 400 Wyoming students about fisheries management, fisheries habitat and the fish themselves. As you’ll see in this issue of the fall newsletter, our program is growing and we’ve partnered with some great schools — including one entire school that houses kindergarten through 12th grade students — in areas where fisheries studies are needed to address management issues.

The school-year long AAT program has a phenomenally pertinent curriculum where students follow tagged fish during the school year and learn from their movements.

I’m excited we get to provide this opportunity to so many Wyoming kids, and hope our Adopt-A-Trout program will continue to grow.

With that said, you know what I’m most excited for regarding our Adopt-A-Trout program this year? I’m sure during one of our days spent in the field or on a study river, it’s my guess that I’ll witness a Wyoming student having the same experience and sense of wonder, watching fish, that

I had in the mountains on that beautiful autumn day.

Scott Christy is the Wyoming Coordinator for Trout Unlimited.

Originally from Iowa, Scott has an incredible passion for the outdoors — camping, hunting, fishing and whitewater rafting. Scott lives in Lander in order to foolishly chase golden trout in the high country of the Wind River Range all summer. He also pretends to bow hunt for big game in Wyoming, but really only brings home the occasional grouse. E-mail Scott at: schristy@tu.org.

Important chapter

Reminders:

n Trout Unlimited will be accepting Embrace-A-Stream (EAS) grant applications for eligible coldwater conservation projects through December 10. However, make sure you contact your EAS representative by November 12 to discuss your project. For more information, go to: www.tu.org/eas. n All Wyoming Trout Unlimited Chapters will need to have their respective Annual Financial Reports (AFR) filed with TU national by November 15. If you need assistance with your chapter’s AFR, there will be an online training on October 22 at 8 p.m. eastern time to help council and chapter treasurers with their AFR and IRS forms. For more information or to register for the online training, contact Rob Keith at: rkeith@tu.org or call Wyoming Coordinator Scott Christy at (307) 332-6700 ext. 12

Our very best holiday wishes to you... ...for a wonderful holiday season spent with family, good friends, and of course, fish!

Your 2013 WYTU Council Leadership:

Chair Mike Jensen, Vice Chair Calvin Hazlewood, Treasurer Dave Sweet, Secretary Cole Sherard, NLC Representative Jim Broderick, Conservation Chair Diana Miller, Women’s Committee Chair Hillary Walrath, Youth Chair Haley Capozza and Wyoming Coordinator Scott Christy 250 North 1st Street • Lander, Wyoming 82520 Phone: (307) 332-6700 • Fax: (307) 332-9299

FALL 2013

Page 11

Planning for the future...

By MARK TESORO Upper Bear River Trout Unlimited Chapter Past President

A

lthough the Upper Bear River Trout Unlimited (UBRTU) Chapter in Evanston has taken the summer off from our regular monthly meetings, the board has been busy making plans for the future. We have plenty of “stuff” on our plate — from the upcoming year and fish ladder work on the City of Evanston inlet, to the possibility of a big stream passage project on a rancher’s push up dam on the Bear River.

Surveying the sit e of the chapte

r’s fish ladder pr oject.

WYTU PHOTOS/M

ark Tesoro

Fish Ladder Since the start of summer, Green River Project Manager Nick Walrath and chapter treasurer Jim Hissong have been quietly working on funding for the fish ladder project on the Bear River. Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust officials came to the Evanston for a site tour and they had lunch with several of our chapter members and then traveled to the King Fisher Bend Ranch to visit a wetlands project. Following that visit, they toured the chapter’s city inlet fish ladder project. The officials were very impressed with our preparation and plan, and within days approved a $25,000 grant for the project. Dave Kimble from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also visited the site and approved $10,000 for the project. The chapter is currently finalizing all project plans and preparation and hopefully will start construction this fall.

Fish Passage The most exciting plans we have are for the possibility of a project on rancher Wade Lowham’s diversion on the Bear River. For the better part of half a century the ranch had to get into the river, push up material in order to pool water deep enough to reach a head gate and canal system. Lowham used equipment each spring and fall to build it up, then tear it out. Although the diversion has been there for many years, it was only recently noted as a fish passage issue when Nick spotted the structure during an aerial fly over when tracking fish. Lowham was approached by one of the chapter members and asked if Trout Unlimited could look at a project to supply him with water and still have fish pass. Lowham was very eager to meet Nick and several chapter members on a tour once the high water from spring had ended. After the meeting, Nick and the chapter immediately moved to have engineers assess the project. The scope of the project will be quite big and the potential for additional fish passage projects will be exciting. Results from the engineer’s review and bids will be submitted by mid September.

Partnership The UBRTU chapter has partnered with the Evanston Parks and Recreation Department for several years as a sponsor to clean up the Bear Ponds. Volunteers work to pick up trash in and around the ponds each spring and fall. The chapter works closely with Derek Haider and his 7th Grade Challenge Science class and AdoptA-Trout participants at Evanston Middle School to get the project done. Last year, the city placed a sign for the chapter along the Bear Parkway near the water as recognition for our work. The few hours the chapter puts into collecting trash with the students is well worth it in terms of good will with the city as well as setting a great example for the kids in the class and the community.

Teen Summit Participant UBRTU chapter member Eli Tesoro attended the Trout Unlimited Teen Summit in Jackson Hole in July.

Tesoro spent five days at the summit learning about all the ways TU is trying to get teens more involved with the organization. His highlight was eating dinner and sitting next to Chris Wood, CEO of Trout Unlimited.

He was excited about visiting with Wood and said he didn’t realize whom he was talking to until later.

Tesoro especially enjoyed his time fishing on the Snake River with Wyoming Coordinator Scott Christy. They were able to catch some fish and he said the scenery was amazing. Tesoro made some great friends at the summit and would like to attend next year’s summit.

The UBRTU chapter resumed our chapter meetings in September with elections of new officers and we will have monthly meetings through May. The chapter typically has presentations at the meetings and we look forward to a great lineup this year. The momentum the chapter is building has been inspiring. We are very excited about our direction and look forward to another great year with TU.

WYTU CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT

Page 12

FALL 2013

WYTU Women’s Committee gathers for first-ever retreat

By HILLARY WALRATH WYTU Women’s Committee Chairperson

W

hat do fishing, chokecherries, laughter, stunning red canyons, a camouflage limousine and women all have in common? They were all present at the first ever Wyoming Trout Unlimited (WYTU) women’s committee retreat and meeting held in August.

The WYTU council hosted this event at the Sinks Canyon Center outside of Lander. We ended up with 18 women attending the discussion and had representatives from Laramie, Casper, Sheridan, Lander, Dubois, Pinedale, Green River, Rock Springs and Jackson. We spent the weekend enjoying the gorgeous scenery that Sinks Canyon has to offer through fishing, hiking, picking berries and laughing around a campfire. Somehow we also managed to find time to discuss the issues that women face in TU and how this committee would like to address them so we can increase our female membership.

One woman from every town represented agreed to be a liaison The participants gather around a cozy between the committee campfire during the retreat. and their local chapter.

They will work with their chapter to sponsor one event (fly fishing class, Casting for Recovery presentation, women’s casting clinic, etc.) that will try to promote female participation. It will be up to the chapters to decide what type of event would be best for their area.

We also plan to host two summer events in different locations around Wyoming, concentrating on areas that have little female involvement with TU. These summer events will include a day of learning how to fly-fish in their own backyard.

Women from the committee, and hopefully chapter members, will be there to mentor the women. The women’s committee plans to advertise the summer events at local river festivals, kids’ fishing day and chapter events.

One common theme that came up in the discussion was that women often join groups Women’s committee retreat particieither with a friend or because pants discuss important issues at the a friend is already involved Sinks Canyon Center. with that group. So we want to focus our advertising on friendship and will encourage women to “bring a buddy.”

The WYTU women’s committee will be partnering with Casting for Recovery (CFR) by providing fishing mentors to past program participants. The committee

FALL 2013

The stunning scenery and setting of Sink’s Canyon Ce nter — host to the first-ever Wyom ing Trout Unlimited women’s committee retreat held in August.

WYTU PHOTOS/Hillary Wal

rath

members have been given contact information for local CFR participants and plan to invite them fishing. CFR has been given a list of these mentors as well, so that they can distribute their information to future CFR participants.

The WYTU Women’s Committee plans to work with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) to contact women who have participated with the Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) program. The chapters will receive contact information for local women and will personally call and invite them to chapter events. Alternatively, WGFD personnel will promote TU during BOW events.

The retreat in Lander was productive, progressive and most of all — fun. The venue provided lots of outdoor recreation activities and some A couple of the ladies work together good evening entertainment. to find some fish in the beautiful There was a wedding taking Middle Pop Agie River. place the last night we were there, so we got to enjoy the campfire with some good tunes in the background and wave goodbye to the happy couple as they drove off in their camo limousine. The WYTU council generously paid for the facilities for the event and has worked hard to get this initiative moving forward. All of the women contributed such great and thoughtful discussion and are ready to work together to make this committee a success.

Thanks to everyone’s efforts. I firmly believe we are on track to getting more women pumped up about fish and conservation.

Hillary Walrath was hired on as Trout Unlimited’s Salinity Control Project Coordinator for the Henry’s Fork of the Green River in 2013. Hillary received her master’s degree in Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management from the University of Wyoming in 2012. She lives in Green River, Wyoming, with her husband Nick, two dogs and five ducks. She loves any excuse to be outside and fills her free time with fishing, hunting, birding, hiking and fixing up their new home.

Page 13

Restoring:

Gooseberry Creek

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Muley Fanatic Foundation of Wyoming President and CEO Josh Coursey and members, the restoration project on Gooseberry Creek on Little Mountain (south of Rock Springs) is one step closer to completion. Coursey and the foundation donated 1,000 feet of steel jack fence — valued at over $11,000 — to fence off the upper portion of Trout Unlimited’s Gooseberry Creek reconnect and restoration project.

The fence and reseeding is the last step in the reconnection of upper Gooseberry Creek to the rest of the Sage/Trout Creek drainage. The Gooseberry Creek culvert replacement, completed in 2012, along with the grade control project, completed in July of this year, has reconnected the upper two miles of Gooseberry Creek to Trout Creek. The upper two miles of the project have been without Colorado River Cutthroat trout for decades.

With the generous donation of the Muley Fanatic Foundation, the project site will have time to recover and prosper by restricting grazing. In addition, students from Green River High School, along with Josh Coursey, members of the Seedskadee chapter and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, joined Green River Project Manager Nick Walrath in planting 200 coyote willows on the project in late September. Walrath was quick to thank the many partners involved in the project including Coursey and members of the Muley Fanatic Foundation of Wyoming, WYTU staff and volunteers, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Bureau of Land Management, Ramsay Ranch, Seedskadee TU Chapter and Green River High School.

WYTU PHOTOS: Nick Walrath and Mike Jensen

n WYTU’s Dave Sweet honored as “Hero of Conservation” at Field & Stream’s Award Gala in Washington DC n First-ever WYTU Women’s Committee retreat a huge success n Upper Bear River chapter has big plans for Bear River watershed n Trout Unlimited’s Second Annual Teen Summit brings 30 participants to Kelly, Wyoming! n Much, much more

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 250 North 1st Street Lander, Wyoming 82520

WYOMING TROUT UNLIMITED